NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20010038377: A Vision of the Future ATM System

8 Pages·0.44 MB·English

by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

A Vision of the Future ATM System
September 21, 2111111
|
Dr.Heinz Erzberger
Senior Scientist for ATM
Ames Research Center
Larqe Increases in Capacity, Safety and Efficiency
Require a New Approach
• Air trafficgrowth isincreasinglyconstrained bythecapacity limits of
sectorized control, wherein a controller is responsible for separation
assurance, planning, communications, coordination, etc.
• Capacity gains through re-sectorization and sector size reduction have
reached the point of diminishing retums.
• Decision Support Tools provide modest gains but can't circumvent basic
controller workload limits.
• Constraints that limit flight efficiency can't be reduced at high traffic
density because that would further exacerbate the controllers workload
problem.
• The inevitabilityof human error limitsfurther improvements in safety
with current procedures.
• Potential of reduced separation can't befully exploited because of
workload and reaction time limits with controllers performing current
duties.
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Current ATM System
Surveillance
Voice
Sensor
|
Graphical System,
User
Host
Interface
Computer
Link
I
Support Tools
I Decision t
ATM Performance Gains
Automated
Airspace
Reduced
separation
standards
50%-
°s:,I CuiTerl|
separation
slandards
Improved
sensors
'06 - q5 '15 -'25
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Automated Airspace Operations
• Sector controllers are "liberated" from the responsibilityofseparation
assurance and are "promoted" to the new roleof airspace controller.
• Several traditional sectors are combined into super-sectors, each
managed by an airspace controller.
• Conflict detection and resolution isfully automated and distributed
between ground-based and airborne systems connected via data link.
• Sequencing and spacing control inthe terminal area is fully automated
on the ground and isexecuted via data link.
• Voice communication between airspace controller and pilots will be
available to handle special needs, i.e. special pilot request,
emergencies, loss of data link.
• Access to automated airspace will be restricted toequipped aircraft.
• Automated airspace can revert to conventionally contTolled airspace
during low demand periods.
Automated Airspace Svstem
1
--g.
Survet'llan ce
Sensor
Graphical System,
i
User Host
Interface Computer
..............
Aut'°
Airspace
System
87
Development Challenqes
• Gaining acceptance of concept by operators, controllersand the
public.
• Design of systemarchitecture thathas multiplesafetynets to
protect usersagainst varioustypes of failures.
• Automated failuredetection and reconfigurationofsystem to
operate inadegraded mode.
• Roles and responsibilitiesofairspace controllers.
• Design ofthe interface between airspace controllerand system
element; retainingthe human-centered designwhile changing
the roleofthe human.
Development Challenges (cont.)
• Transitioningfrom manual toautomated airspace operations.
• Providing airspace and runway access for unequipped aircraft
• Upgrading the CTAS algorithms and software to level of
performance required for autonomous operation.
• Establishing minimum equipment standards for airspace users.
• Verification, validation and testing of concept.
88
Approaches to Automated ATC
• Time-based (4D) Guidance
• Self-Separation and advanced TCAS
• Automated Airspace
ime- aflce
89
Types of Automated Airspace
• Self separation airspace
• High altitude transition airspace: mixed climbing,
descending and over-flights
• Arrival and departure management airspace
• Final approach sequencing and spacing airspace
Fort Worth Center Traffic Flows
FL240 and above
9O
Automated Airspace Sectorization
Fort Worth Center
ArrivalOverflightDepaf_ure I
t
Automated Airspacefor DFW
440 450 460 470 480 490 500
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Benefits of Super Sector
° Boundaries unconstrained by current center boundaries.
• Elimination of trajectory constraints imposed by conventional
sector structure and altitude stratification.
• Reduction of handoff coordination.
• Shared airspace for arrivals, departures and overflights allows
flexibility in use of airspace and routes.
• Unified airspace of super sectors enables increasing the range
and effectiveness of conflict resolution.
• Increased controller productivity.
Steps Toward Automated Airspace
• Complete deployment ofdecision supporttools for critical ATM
specialties (2010).
- DST technology is the foundation for Automated Airspace.
• Introduce Distributed Air Ground procedures and improved sensors
(2006).
- When combined with DST's, this begins the process of changing sector
controller roles and responsibilities.
• Build high performance and secure air-ground data link required to
support automated airspace operation (2012).
• Evaluate prototype automated airspace system inselected high altitude
airspace (2015).
° Install in high density on route airspace (2017).
• Install in high density terminal areas (2020).
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